Graceland Cemetery

Inez Clark (1873-1880) died at the age of six. Her parents
commissioned a life-sized statue, which was completed a year later by
a Sicilian sculptor, and placed over the grave. Later, a transparent
plexiglass box was added to protect the likeness from the elements.

According to local legend, a night watchman, making his rounds during
a storm, came across Inez's grave and saw that the box was empty. He
fled, never to return. The next morning, the statue of the little
girl was back in its usual place. Others have claimed to have briefly
glimpsed a small child in 19th-century dress wandering through the
cemetery.

Inez's grave remains popular today, perhaps due to the high quality of the
likeness. The image remains in nearly perfect condition thanks to its
protection from the elements. Gifts of flowers and toys can often be
found at the base of the
glass box.

The photo on the right, above, was used on the cover of the recent
book
Chicago Haunts by Ursula Bielski.

Around April of 1997, Inez Clarke's grave was vandalized. A large
gouge was made in the front panel of the box, probably by an axe. The
vandals evidently fled before they were able to penetrate the thick
plexiglass, and the marble statue inside was unharmed. The front
panel has since been replaced.